Sorry a quick question - do these services run hail and ride through the villages, or signed stops only? I'm thinking particularly of Littleworth, as I'm going to something at the Village Hall, but am there somewhat earlier than the solitary 54 that serves the car park.

Air con works best in enclosed environments, so coaches are normally OK as the doors are not opened too often to introduce hot air. Service buses on the other hand, have the doors opening all the time so the units have to keep working full pelt on a, potentially hopeless, task thus wearing them out ...